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1986.6--183-186.pdf | Download |
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- Create Date 1 January 1986
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As a result of declining populations and habitat loss over the past decades, the Pyrenean brown bear (Ursus arctos Pyrenaicus) is limited to 2 isolated populations confined to remote areas of the Pyrenees. The remnant population in the western French Pyrenees is the largest and best known. Confronted with the lack of bear population data, we decided to analyze bear predation on livestock data recorded between 1968 and 1979 for insight into recent bear population size and trends. During the 12-year study we investigated 606 bear attacks in detail. The investigations were in response to farmer claims for compensation following acts of bear predation on livestock. During the study period, the number of attacks per year and the range of bear predations decreased gradually. This decline occurred throughout their range to varying degrees. This disparity was particularly marked west of the Aspe River in an area where human disturbance is great.